Continuous cable processing apparatus

ABSTRACT

A continuous cable processing apparatus for producing cable sections with processed ends comprises a cable transport apparatus having at least one transport device for moving and holding the cable in the axial direction and, transversely thereto, a knife station. According to a special variant, two transport devices are arranged in the longitudinal cable direction on both sides of the knife station and, after the cable has been cut through, each hold one of the cable end regions produced on cutting, so that said end regions are movable in the longitudinal cable direction. At least one of these end processing stations is arranged transversely with respect to the longitudinal cable direction, adjacent to the knife station and at least one transport device is movable transversely with respect to the longitudinal cable direction so that a cable end region can be fed to the end processing station.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Divisional Application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/068,278 is filed under 35 USC 111 claiming priority benefits of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 09/068,278 under 35 USC 120. U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/068,278 (now allowed) entered the national stageunder 35 USC 371 on Jul. 9, 1998, and is PCT/EP97/05216, filed on Sep.23, 1997. PCT/EP97/05216 claims priority under 35 USC 119 to SwissApplication CH 2329/96, filed on Sep. 23, 1996. PCT/EP97/05216 (andhence, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/068,278) is a Continuation inPart Application of PCT/EP96/04790, filed Nov. 4, 1996, which claimspriority under 35 USC 119 of Swiss Application CH 3235/95, filed on Nov.6, 1995. Thus, the present Continuation Application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/068,278 also claims priority of SwissApplication CH 3235/95.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a continuous cable processing apparatus with atransport path along which a cable may be transported according to theinvention, having a knife station and a cable transport apparatus.Excluded from the invention are therefore cable processing machineswhich process exclusively cable ends or single cable sections (notcontinuous cable). In the knife station, cables can be cut and/orprocessed, e.g. stripped of their insulation. For the purposes of theinvention, the term knife station now also includes apparatuses forother cable processing types, such as, for example, crimping, marking orthe like. The cable transport apparatus transports the cable along itsaxis or along a transport path to and from the knife station.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART INCLUDING INFORMATIONDISCLOSED UNDER 37 CFR 1.98 AND 1.98

Conventional continuous cable processing apparatuses operate with cableprocessing in the knife station, along a transport path. This type ofend processing establishes the processing times. However, a disadvantagewith attachments involving such processing in a working area into whichvarious processing tools or processing stations can be inserted is thatit is not possible to use processing stations which are longer than thedistance between the transport means on both sides of the knife station.On the other hand, however, this distance should not be too largebecause otherwise short cable sections cannot be provided. Moreover,with a large distance, a further guide element would have to be usedbetween the receiving region of the processing station and the transportmeans, which is associated with an additional cost. In addition, inknown continuous cable processing apparatuses the cable can betransported onward only in an axial direction.

For example, the Applicant launched on the market, under the nameCS9100, an apparatus which had pairs of knives which were laterallyoffset with respect to the cable feed axis, which were adjacent to oneanother and which were capable of being laterally displaced via an upperand a lower common knife holder by a pneumatic drive in such a way thata cable fed into the apparatus along the axis could be cut into or cutthrough by either one or other knife. For this purpose, of course, theupper and lower knife holders were displaceable relative to one another.This has an advantage over a single knife position; at the same time,however, the disadvantage of this design in practice is the limitationof possible processing operations, which are restricted to the two knifepositions.

EP-A1-365691 describes an apparatus having a pair of knives which hasseveral blades on each knife. After conventional longitudinal cabletransport, the cable is cut there by means of the multiblade knife.After opening of the knife, the cable handling components move linearlyand parallel to the knife to the left or right to an insulationstripping position on the multiblade knife. The handling components onboth sides of the knife with the cut cables are then displaced to therequired insulation stripping length in the direction of the knife. Thisis followed by further knife movement to the desired insulationstripping diameter and the stripping of the insulation residue (slug)and the linear transport of the cable onwards or backwards, depending onthe further processing.

A disadvantage of this means is that the two cable handling components(before and after the knife) constantly have to be displaced in thelongitudinal and transverse direction, leading to considerable wear oftwo components highly mobile essentially independently of one another(in addition to the axial feed drive for the cable). These must also bespecially adjusted to one another in order to be able to work with thecorrect position and without waste. In addition, the use of a multibladeknife is uneconomical since nonuniform wear may occur and it maytherefore also be necessary to replace blades which are not worn.

Moreover, this apparatus requires particular flexibility of the cable,which is otherwise liable to be destroyed.

Another known apparatus “Stripmaster Model 900” from Ideal Ind., Inc.Sycamore, USA also has die blades arranged adjacent to one another andhaving different effective knife diameters, so that cables havingdifferent diameters can be inserted into feed orifices adjacent to oneanother and can be cut by the knives or stripped on pulling out again.This apparatus is not suitable for automatic insulation strippingoperations.

A further known apparatus, as disclosed in EP-A1-623982, has a swivelapparatus with which a cable can be positioned at one of two knivesarranged adjacent to one another. The problem of cable flexibilityoccurs here too. Moreover, the cable does not rest optimallyperpendicular to the plane of the knife in this apparatus, so that cutsby the knife may also be performed obliquely, with the result that thecuts may be of poor quality, unless the second knife is positionedobliquely relative to the first one. However, such an oblique positiondescribed by the EP A1 has the disadvantage that it is optimized onlyfor specific knives; in addition, it broadens the attachment of theknife supports. The use of other tools is not envisaged.

A further known apparatus from Eubanks Engineering Co, Monrovia, USA,with the designation “9800” has knives arranged axially one behind theother and with different cutting depths. The knives are present on acommon upper and lower knife support so that an inserted cable can besubjected simultaneously to several different processing steps along itsaxis. Such an apparatus is disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No.5,146,673. The disadvantage of such an arrangement is a relatively lowflexibility in the choice of the processing steps; moreover, the limitedspace between the knives restricts the possible insulation strippinglength. In an attempt to increase the insulation stripping lengths,limits were encountered with regard to the maximum acceptable size ofthe apparatus.

In the prior art “Kodera Type 34”, the insulation stripping length waslimited to the distance between knife and second pair of rollers. With aspecial insulation stripping process in single steps, it is true that itwas possible to strip individual sections with the length correspondingto this distance in succession (but not to strip the insulation awaycompletely from the conductor but to move it a little at a time on theconductor in the stripping direction=partial stripping). The Kodera Type36 with a greater distance between insulation stripping knives andsecond pair of rollers was provided to permit longer partial insulationstripping steps but had the disadvantage that short cable pieces couldnot be stripped with this apparatus. This circumstance is to be improvedby a novel process.

A further problem is that thin flexible cables cannot be concentricallyguided in the case of the guides with rigid inner diameters mounted inthe known apparatuses, e.g. Eubanks 9800, which may lead to problems(more frequent breakdowns) in the cable feed.

Problems also arise in the ejection of the waste (slug) of insulationresidues which are stripped from the conductor by the knife and, fromcase to case, were not properly removed to date, since they sometimesstuck to the conductor and thus led to breakdowns.

JP-A-1-281403 describes a multistation cable processing apparatus inwhich the cable to be processed is fed to the respective stations alonga semicircle by means of a pivotable distributor. The cable is eithernot continuous or is forcibly bent.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,009,738 describes a cable insulation stripping apparatusin which cable ends in the knife region are moved parallel out of theirtransport path in order to compensate for disadvantageous crushingeffects during cutting of these cables. As is clearly evident in FIG. 5of this US-A, however, buckling of the cable end piece occurs.

None of the known continuous cable processing apparatuses thus offerspossibilities for removing a cable from its present transport pathwithout buckling or bending, in order to transport it to anotherprocessing station, a manipulator arm or merely to another knife withinthis knife station. In the case of specific cable types, this leads toconsiderable problems and thus restricts the universality of therelevant apparatuses.

JP-A-3-15211 describes a cable end processing apparatus which permitsbuckling- and bending-free transportation of a cable end from oneprocessing station to another one, but continuous cable processing isnot possible therewith since secondary transport means are lacking andit was evidently also not obvious to propose such means by appropriatecomplicated structural conversions. JP-A-62-217816, U.S. Pat. Nos.3,653,412, 4,244,101, 4,446,615, 4,833,778 and 4,879,926 describecomparable insulation stripping apparatuses which transport individualcable pieces transversely with respect to their longitudinal extensionby transport means from one processing station to the other. However,longitudinal feeding of the cable by these known attachments is notknown.

JP-A-9-46844 which appeared in the priority interval also relates to acable end processing device and not to a continuous cable processingdevice. Nevertheless, this document attempts to provide a solution as tohow various knives can be used in a compact manner at successive timesbut along a cable, thus also dispensing with bending or buckling of thiscable. For this purpose, the various knives are arranged adjacent to oneanother and can be transversely displaced on rails toward the cable inorder to be able to process the cable end piece inserted in each case.After the processing, however, this must be removed from its processingposition again in order to make space for the next cable.

It is thus a first object of the invention to provide an improvedapparatus which permits the processing of cables, which are not to bebuckled or bent. Furthermore, the processing speed should be kept highor increased. In particular, the flexibility of the processing steps andof the cable handling should furthermore be increased.

On the other hand, it is a second object of the invention to provide animproved insulation stripping apparatus which is improved with regard tothe universality, permits larger insulation stripping lengths and avoidsthe disadvantages of the above-mentioned designs.

As a third object, it is also intended to find possibilities forprocessing coaxial cables continuously and in particular reliably, theuniversality not being restricted as a result.

These objects are achieved by various inventive steps, which include acontinuous cable insulation stripping apparatus with a transport pathalong which a cable may be transported. The parallel relative movementbetween a cable in a continuous cable processing machine and the knifestation avoids cable bending or buckling, and the flexibility increases.An embodiment includes a pair of tool supports for holding at least twotools in pairs, and a tool support feed for lateral positioning of atleast one of the at least two tools above a first transport path alongwhich a cable whose insulation is to be stripped can be inserted andtransported in its feed direction, whereas the axis of the cable isparallel to the first transport path, and the tool support feed isformed for a controlled lateral drive for controlled sideward movementof at least one of the pair of tool supports to any desired positionwithin a working range laterally with respect to the first transportpath. The apparatus includes upper and lower positions, comprising aseparate and independent tool support feed coordinated with each toolsupport so that the upper and lower positions of the at least two toolscan be combined, and the combination is achieved by independent motorsfor the independent tool support feeds.

There are essentially two variants of these attachments: the knifestation or its tools execute a transverse movement toward the cableaccording to the invention, or the cables in or with their transportmeans execute a transverse movement relative to their first transportpath according to the invention. Mixed forms are within the scope of theinvention.

Regarding the first variant: The object is achieved by the apparatusaccording to the invention, wherein the continuous cable insulationstripping apparatus has a transport path along which a cable may betransported. The transport path is parallel to the axis of a cable to betransported along the transport path, comprising at least one tool, atleast one tool support, and a positioner that relatively positions theat least one tool support in a direction perpendicular to a workingdirection of the at least one tool and perpendicular to a paralleltransport path wherein the positioner positions the at least one toolsupport to more than two positions. The novel knife arrangement and itsdrive lead to a universal, fully automatic and freely programmablecutting and insulation stripping facility. This is further supplementedby additional, novel processing steps as required. Known disadvantagesare avoided. The compact design possible according to the invention isadvantageous in practice and very universal.

Further features of the invention are described according to theinvention.

What is important in any case is that any desired tool positionsaccording to the invention are provided side by side and a steppingmotor control is capable of selecting these tool positions in aprogrammable manner, so that on the one hand the cable—or several cablesside by side—which is or are held in one position can be processed indifferent tool positions. This applies to continuous cable processing aswell as to insulation stripping apparatuses where an operator ormanipulator inserts a cable end into the apparatus and then pulls it outagain.

Secondly, other operations are also permitted, such as, for example,sawing, incision, twisting, deformation, crimping, etc., of the cable,by bringing together the knives or tools, closing them and laterallydisplacing them relative to one another. In the case of twisting jaws astools with wedge-like oblique surfaces, this can also be realized bypure vertical movement relative to one another. Furthermore, twistingcan be realized if the tool holders are designed to be pivotable about arotation point which is as far as possible in the region of the cableaxis, if the linear advance for lateral displacement of the tool holdersthen leads not to a displacement but to a rotation about this axis.

Further possible methods of processing exist if at least one tool holderhas grinding or polishing disks which can be used for grinding theconductor ends by an oscillating or rotating movement of the knifeholders, which may be important in particular in the case of glass fibercables.

Motor control of the contact pressure or of the distance between thefeed rollers or feed belts, which is provided according to theinvention, has the advantage that the contact pressure on the cable canbe increased during stripping in order thus to prevent slippage or inorder to apply more force to the cable. If, as disclosed in the priorart, the contact pressure were to remain constant over the entireprocess, this would have the disadvantage that the cable or its sheathwould suffer pinches over its entire length, which now occur at most ina small region. According to the invention, the wear of the belt is alsoreduced. Since the stripping resistance is as a rule greatest at thebeginning of the stripping movement, according to the invention thecontact pressure can be increased over a stripping distance of, forexample, 4 mm and then reduced again to a lower level. Any marks orpinches are thus limited to about 4 mm.

The possibility of opening the rollers or belts individually is to beregarded as a further concept of the invention, in other words the driveunits of the belts, both before and after the tool holder, can be openedand closed or adjusted in their contact pressure independently of oneanother. Preferably, the rollers not only can be adjusted in the contactpressure and moved to a desired distance apart by means of an electricmotor but they can also optionally be completely opened. The coupledopening and closing of the two pairs of rollers by means of a singledrive motor and a turntable is known per se from the machine ATC 9000 ofSutter Electronic AG Thun, which was published in 1989 and whoseteaching in this context is considered to have been disclosed in thecontext of this invention, the rollers or belts being capable of beingopened completely independently compared with the known rollers orbelts.

A further advantage of the possibility of opening the second pair ofrollers or of belts independently of the opening of the first pair ofrollers or of belts is that a preliminary stripping of, for example, 130mm can be carried out with the aid of a first pair of rollers after thecable has already passed through the second pair of rollers by thedesired length, for example 500 mm, so that even long insulationstripping lengths, for example for mains cables, can be successfullystripped of insulation. Preliminary stripping of even greater lengths isalso possible, the remainder of the insulation being stripped from theconductor subsequently by hand.

Conversely, for longer complete stripping or longer partial stripping,after preliminary stripping according to the above procedure the contactpressure of the second pair of rollers or of belts could be increasedand the sheath stripped from the conductor under static friction byrotation in the stripping direction.

If it is intended to strip a long piece of insulation in a fewindividual steps, this can be carried out according to the invention byopening the second pair of rollers or pair of belts in each partialstep. Compared with the known apparatus (e.g. KODERA Type 36 with aparticularly large distance between the left and the right feedrollers), there is the advantage that even short cable sections can bestripped of insulation. Compared with the known apparatus (e.g. KODERAType 34 with a relatively small distance between the left and right feedrollers), there is on the other hand the advantage of virtually anydesired insulation stripping length and absolutely no limitation to thedistance between tool holder and second, axially following pair ofrollers, which to date limited the insulation stripping distance in allknown machines.

Regarding the second variant: Apart from the cable processing in the(specific) knife station, the use of further processing stations may bepractical, especially time-saving, for certain processing operationsaccording to the invention.

The arrangement of further end processing stations directly adjacent tothe knife station and optionally also insulation stripping stationaccordingly permits the use of any desired processing stations. Thus, itis also possible to use processing stations which are longer than anacceptable distance between the transport means on both sides of theknife station. In a preferred embodiment, after the cable has been cut,insulation is stripped from the two cable ends produced, in twoinsulation stripping stations arranged side by side and transverselywith respect to the cable axis. Owing to the possibility of parallel endprocessing, the processing time of the individual steps can be halved.However, there are also advantages in conventional serial cableprocessing, due to the possibility of laterally transferring cables totransport or storage stations or the like.

Further features of the invention are described according to theinvention or are evident from the information below which, with thedescription of the Figures and the drawings, represent a furtherdisclosure of the features of the invention, some of which may also beused independently of one another.

What is important for these concepts of the invention in any case isthat any desired stations, according to the invention, for the cable canbe provided laterally side by side and at least one cable retainingmeans can be moved in a guide means by a drive apparatus, in particulara stepping motor control, in such a way that at least one cable end canbe fed laterally to one of these stations. However, station is also tobe understood as meaning, for example, a gripping arm or the like.

The stations which may be used permit not only insulation stripping butalso other operations, such as, for example, sawing, incision, twisting,deformation, gripping, soldering, etc. Of course, additionally oralternatively, the tools may optionally be displaceably mounted anddriveable transversely with respect to the cable axis within theindividual processing stations.

Further processing facilities are obtained, for example, if at least oneprocessing station has grinding or polishing disks which can be used forgrinding the conductor ends by oscillating or circular movement, whichmay be important in particular in the case of glass fiber cables.

Preferably, the transport means or their rollers or belts can be opened,preferably individually. The drive units of the belts both before andafter the knife stations, can be opened and closed independently of oneanother or can be adjusted in their contact pressure. Preferably, notonly can the rollers be adjusted in the contact pressure and movedtoward one another to the desired distance apart by means of an electricmotor but they can moreover optionally be completely opened. The contactpressure is preferably adapted to the processing steps in the respectiveprocessing station.

Compared with the known processing station, there is the advantage thatboth small and any desired large processing lengths, in particularinsulation stripping lengths, are permitted from both endssimultaneously, without unnecessarily removing and feeding the cableends. The processing length is not at all limited to the distancebetween the two transport means.

Thus, with respect to the improved universal equipment of insulationstripping machines, it is also intended—according to theinvention—according to a fourth basic concept—to house clamping and/orcentering jaws and/or cutting apparatuses in modules which can be addedto or removed from a basic frame of an insulation stripping machine.According to the invention, it is particularly advantageous if suchmodules can be mounted so that they are movable and lockable, forexample pivotable, in order to provide better access during servicing,for example, during changing of jaws or knives.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

It is noteworthy that combinations of the features described orindividual aspects of the invention which are applicable independentlyof one another are also within the scope of the invention.

Preferred embodiments are described with reference to exemplary Figures,which do not restrict the various aspects of the invention. The Figuresare described contiguously and as a whole since—with the exception ofFIG. 22—identical reference symbols denote identical components andidentical reference symbols with different indices denote similarcomponents with the same or similar functions. The list of referencesymbols and the information content of the Figures are an integral partof this application.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic oblique view of a novel apparatus;

FIG. 2 shows a variant thereof with jointly guided upper and lower toolholders;

FIG. 3 shows symbolic examples of different modular configurations of anovel modular design of an insulation stripping machine having a rollerdrive;

FIG. 4 shows symbolic examples according to FIG. 3 but with a beltdrive;

FIGS. 5 a and b show a series of 8 different process steps of aninsulation stripping process according to the invention on aschematically represented structure with novel sliding guides;

FIG. 6 shows a detail of a tool holder feed according to the inventionof one variant;

FIG. 7 shows a section of a novel insulation stripping machine havingsliding guides according to FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 shows a variant having a larger distance between front and rearcontinuous belt drive 12 with dimensions of a specific embodiment whichare varied by about ±25-75% in the context of the invention;

FIG. 9 shows a variant having a shorter distance and the resultingeffects with values which can be varied by about ±25-75% in the contextof the invention;

FIG. 10 shows a group of different tools which can be optimally used inthe invention and have different applications known to a person skilledin the art;

FIG. 11 shows the left part of a plan view of an apparatus having a beltdrive 12 (plan of FIG. 13) and a pivot drive for the guide;

FIG. 12 shows the right part of the same plan view;

FIG. 13 shows analogously the left part of an incomplete view with upperbelt removed and with a pivotable cable guide before the tools;

FIG. 14 shows a variant of a right part of this view;

FIG. 15 shows a variant of FIG. 12 with roller drive;

FIG. 16 shows process steps according to the invention for strippinginsulation from larger lengths;

FIGS. 17 to 20 show schematic representations for illustrating a processaccording to the invention for programming the control;

FIG. 21 shows a detail of a knife drive of a station according to FIG.28;

FIG. 22 shows a schematic structure having a transverse transportfacility for the cable;

FIG. 23 shows a schematic representation of transversely displaceabletransport units;

FIG. 24 shows a variant of FIG. 23 having combined transversedisplaceability of transport means and knife station;

FIG. 25 shows a realistic structure according to FIG. 23;

FIG. 26 shows the structure according to FIG. 25 in the transverselyswivelled state;

FIG. 27 shows a structure having transport units displaceableindependently of one another;

FIG. 28 shows a knife station having rotatable knives;

FIG. 29 shows the station according to FIG. 28 as a mounted module inthe swivelled-out state and in the operating state;

FIG. 30 shows a front view of the station according to FIG. 28;

FIG. 31 shows a section through the station and

FIG. 32 shows a detail of the centering jaw control in the station.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a schematic oblique view of a novel apparatus according tothe invention, having tool supports 1, 2 and knives 3 which are heldthereon and a plurality of which (more than the 2 pairs shown) may bemounted side by side on larger tool supports 1, 2. Schematically showndrives 5 a and 5 b drive the tool supports laterally relative to theaxis 106. Schematic closing drives 16 a and 16 b enable the tool holders1, 2 to be closed together (via a control) or separately. A guide 17keeps the tool supports or tool holders and the drives parallel.

FIG. 2 shows a variant thereof having upper and lower tool holders 1, 2jointly guided via a closing drive 16 c, for example by means of aspindle drive and a single lateral drive 5 c. This simplified variant iscompact but—in comparison with the first one—permits only a fewoperations.

Both above-mentioned Figures refer to an important aspect of theinvention, namely the virtually completely free mobility of at least onecable processing tool, in particular a knife or the like, in a planeapproximately perpendicular to the cable feed direction. The mobilitymight also be continuous if required.

FIG. 3 refers to an independent novel aspect of a modular design of aninsulation stripping machine, but an aspect which can preferably be usedin above cable processing machines. Examples 1b to 4b schematically showfeed modules A and B having rollers, which however could in some casesalso be replaced, for example, by other feed modules, for example a feedmodule C having belts according to FIG. 4, so that, for example, a feedmodule A is supplemented with a feed module C with omission of themodule B.

A further frequently used module D having a pivotable guide tube is usedbefore a blade or knife module E. The knife module is preferablydesigned as shown in FIG. 1 or 2, a further rigid or displaceable guidepreferably being arranged. FIG. 11 illustrates the function of thepivotable guide tube.

As shown in Examples 3b, 4b and 3a and 4a, modules D and E can bereplaced by module F which has at least one displaceable guide butpreferably, as shown, two displaceable guides which permit a novelspecial insulation stripping process, as illustrated in FIG. 5 a and b.

According to the invention, the insulation stripping apparatus can besupplemented by any desired further modules, a module G which representsa “coax box” being shown as an example, namely a rotating incision boxand may be used in particular for coaxial cables. Such a coax box hasbeen brought onto the market, for example, by Schleuniger AG under thename CA 9170, and its design will therefore not be discussed in detail.A person skilled in the art can readily adopt the relevant teaching fromthere. It is thus considered to have been disclosed in the context ofthis application. However, this application relates to a novel rotatingcutting module which has advantages over CA 9170. It is distinguished inparticular by a simple knife control and completely independentlycontrollable centering jaws, as shown in FIG. 28.

What is important in this independent aspect of the invention is that abasic design is offered which makes it possible to meet the insulationstripping needs in a universal manner. The resulting advantage isprimarily in the production, since the modules can be produced andstored in the factory independently of one another. Secondly, there isan advantage for the user, whose insulation stripping needs may changewith time. By replacing the appropriate modules on site, the apparatusaccording to the invention can be subsequently adapted. The technicalrealization of this aspect lies in linear guides in the basic housing,which interact with diametrically opposite guides on the modules, sothat the modules with their operating elements are concentric with thecable feed axis 106. In comparison with the prior art, this also permitsfaster assembly of complete insulation stripping or cable processingapparatuses.

The novel and advantageous process steps shown in FIGS. 5 a and bconstitute a third—optionally also independently applicable—aspect ofthe present invention. By means of short, in particular linearlydisplaceable guide sleeves 40 a and b, the cable end sections are eachheld centered—advantageously—in the immediately vicinity of the knivesbefore incision or insulation stripping by the knives 3 a and b. Forapplications not described in more detail, it is of course also possiblefor the purposes of the invention to dispense with one of the two guidesleeves 40, in particular when the belt or roller feed is subsequentlymoved closer to the knives 3. A further variation arises through thepossible replacement of a guide sleeve 40 by a module D, as shown, forexample, in FIG. 16. The belt drive shown schematically as module C canbe interchanged completely or partially with roller drives.

The inventive aspects of the invention which do not refer directly tothe lateral displaceability of the tools are of course also applicablein an inventive manner to knife arrangements in which a plurality ofknives 3 are arranged staggered along the cable axis (feed axis) 106,as, for example, in the insulation stripping model CCM 2000 of SutterElectronic AG. Such combinations might make it possible further toincrease the processing speed of cables by the process steps accordingto the invention and displaceable guide sleeves.

In an alternative design, in particular with utilization of the modularaspect, it is accordingly also possible to provide a plurality of knifemodules F with laterally displaceable knives one behind the other.Variants having additional feed modules A, B or C arranged in betweenare also within the scope of the invention.

The invention furthermore relates to a novel measuring and adjustingapparatus for jaws which can be driven together by means of a motor, inparticular cutter jaws on an insulation stripping machine. The noveltyis the utilization of a certain elasticity between drive motor and anadvance spindle which is responsible for advancing the jaws. Theelasticity is generated by an elastic coupling member between drivemotor and spindle, in particular a toothed belt which transmits thetorque of the drive to the spindle via pulleys. A further novelty isthat a transducer, in particular an encoder (shaft encoder), is mounteddirectly on the spindle. When the jaws are driven together, contactbetween the jaws is signalled to the encoder by virtue of the fact thatthe jaws no longer move together and the definitive stop position canthus be read or tapped from the encoder or a reset can be signalled.Owing to the elasticity, the drive motor, for example a stepping motor,can, however, continue to rotate slightly further according to theinvention against the elasticity of the toothed belt, if only to absorbits motor force without imposing a mechanical load on the jaws.

According to the invention, the closing position of the jaws can also bededuced from the fact that one transducer (on the spindle) has come to astop and the other (e.g. stepping motor) may still continue to rotateslightly. In addition or as an alternative, it is possible within thescope of the invention to reduce the torque of the drive motor in thevicinity of the closed position in order to reduce the mechanical loadon the closing jaws.

An optional intermediate step according to the invention in strippingwith the aid of the right belts with controlled contact pressureadvantageously leads to complete stripping of long insulation pieces,with the advantage that jumping over the insulation stripping knivesunder strong retaining forces between conductor and insulation isreduced. However, this is a problem only in the case of thin cables; inthe case of greater thicknesses and especially greater insulationthicknesses, known apparatuses as a rule otherwise lead to blocking ofthe left belt drive or to slippage which in turn may lead to destructionof the cable or of the left belts.

The completely individual adjustability and controllability of the frontand rear rollers or belts facilitates the further processing of thecable but also requires adequately dimensioned drive motors and suitablesoftware which, in the understanding of this patent application, isclear and realizable to an average person skilled in the art.

The preferred process steps in steps 1 to 8 are characterized by:

Feeding the cable 7 to its front insulation stripping length behind theknives 3; moving away the rear guide sleeve 40 b.

Closing the knives 3 to the insulation stripping depth and withdrawal ofthe cable 7 by means of front module C.

Positioning the rear guide sleeve 40 b, which simultaneously—ifrequired—ejects the waste insulation piece so that it does not hinderthe further procedure. It is precisely this procedure which isparticularly advantageous over known solutions from Eubanks, whichoffers two-part guide sleeves which are intended to open for removingthe waste and to eject the waste by means of an additional mechanism.Since these known attachments, however, subsequently close again, wasteresidues can actually now become jammed between the guide sleeve parts,which does not occur according to the invention. As a solution, anotherprior art envisages forming the sleeves to be open at the bottom so thatstripped material can fall out downward. The disadvantage of this designis that cables, in particular thin, flexible cables, are not guided attheir lower surface and faults may therefore occur during operation.Such guides are disclosed, for example, in the case of the insulationstripping model from Kodera/JP “Kodera 34”.

Feeding the cable 107 up to the cutting position under the knives 3. Inthe case of a design according to FIG. 1 or 2, which is not obligatoryfor the use of this novel process, the insulation stripping knives 3 andthe cutting knives 3 are arranged side by side on the displaceable knifesupports 1, so that the cutting knives 3 are displaced to the cuttingposition between steps 4 and 5 while in the other steps the insulationstripping knives 3 are in the position shown.

The cable 107 is cut through.

The second cable section 107 b is pushed back by means of the rear feedmodule C up to the insulation stripping position of the rear cable end;the front guide sleeve 40 a is moved away. The latter has, inter alia,also the effect of making it possible to strip the insulation from alonger cable end section which exceeds the length between front module Cand knives 3. Provided that it is flexible enough, this cable endsection can in fact be bent since it is not laterally guided by thefront guide sleeve 40 a. The same effect can, if required, be utilizedin steps 1-2, also at the front cable end and the guide sleeve 40 b.

Incision and stripping of the insulation section (cable sheath waste or“slug”).

Ejection of the cable section 107 b stripped at both ends and feeding ofthe next cable section 107 a according to step 1.

FIG. 6 shows a detail of a tool holder feed according to the invention(e.g. module E or F) of a variant according to FIG. 2 with a threadedspindle 18, a toothed belt drive 24 and the stepping motor 23 forcontrolled driving of the closing and opening movement of the tools anda schematically indicated drive 5 for lateral displacement of the knifeholders 1 and 2. With regard to the insulation stripping steps 4 and 5according to FIG. 5, the pair of knives 3 e and f are used, whereas thedie blades 3 g and h merely cut into and strip off the insulation. Thedie blades 3 g and h are preferably so compatible that they support oneanother and over cutting is thus impossible.

This compatibility, as is also already known in the case of other knowninsulation stripping machines, leads to an adjustment problem, which issolved, according to the invention, by another aspect of the invention,independent of the other aspects. In the case of inaccurate setting ofthe drive with the motor 23 or in the case of different knife inserts inthe knife holders 1 and 2, the motor force may result in undesiredforces on the spindle 18 or on the knife holders 1 and 2 if in fact themotor 23 applies further torque when the knives 3 g and h rest againstone another.

This problem is avoided by a shaft encoder 41 directly on the spindle18. The encoder, together with a control not shown, has the task ofmonitoring the rotary movement of the spindle 18 as a function of thedrive or rotary power of the motor 23. If the motor continues to applytorque without the spindle 18 rotating (no change in the encoder value),the control independently detects that the knives 3 g and h are abuttingone another. The elasticity of the toothed belt 24 permits a certainplay which avoids mechanical overloading of the spindle. In a specialembodiment, the encoder of the motor 24—e.g. a stepping motor—is alsoused for comparison with the encoder 41 in order to detect the closedknife position. An initial sensor 42, for example an inductive sensor,may be provided in order to detect the open position of the knifeholders 1 and 2.

FIG. 7 shows a module F by way of example in more detail. The guidesleeves 40 are preferably held in holders 43 on guide rods 44 which canbe raised or lowered by—in this example pneumatic—drives 45 undercomputer control. According to the invention, the holders permit rapidchanging of guide sleeves 40 in order to adapt them to various cables.The guide sleeves 40 are preferably countersunk in a funnel-shapedmanner in their interior at one or both ends to facilitate cableintroduction. For certain applications, they may, as already mentionedabove, be replaced with conventional pivot guides or completely omitted.According to the invention, they can also be successfully used in anyother insulation stripping machines; for example, also in conventionalrotary insulation stripping apparatuses, instead of co-rotatingcentering jaws, such as, for example, in the models 207 from SchleunigerProductronic AG or the models 9200 from Eubanks Monrovia, USA, whichhave now been taken off the market. Between the guide sleeves 40 are theknives 3 or the cable processing tools, and optionally a compressed airblow-out orifice 46 for cleaning the tools.

FIG. 8 shows a variant according to modular design 1 a (FIG. 4) with alarger distance between front and rear continuous belt drives 112 withdimensions of a specific embodiment which can be varied by about ±25-75%for the purposes of the invention. The pivotable guide 9 permits longrear insulation stripping sections since, when a front cable section ispushed back, the guide 9 swivels upward and thus leaves free the pathfor the rear end of the front cable section, at least up to the lengthof the pivotable guide 9. The pivotable guide 9 is positioned opposite aguide 17 which may consist only of a flat guide piece for horizontalguidance of a cable, but which may also be displaceable, as describedabove, or may be formed to be rigid but replaceable, the above-mentionedsnap fastenings also being advantageous according to the invention forthis purpose. The length of these guide pieces or the distance betweenthe knives and the belt or roller drives is usually critical for thesmallest processible cable length. According to the invention, however,there is also a special short-mode operation in which the second pair ofrollers or of belts is shut down in order to be able to process evenshorter cable sections.

In contrast, FIG. 9 shows a variant with a shorter distance, such as,for example, modular design 3 a (FIG. 4), and the resulting effects withvalues which can be varied by about ±25-75% for the purposes of theinvention; of course, the belt drives 112 are replaceable in bothvariants by roller drives 111.

In a particular, novel inventive aspect which may also be usedindependently, the belt drives 112 can however also be used forstripping the cut cable sheath sections, the respective belts—as a rulethese will be the rear belt pair—continuing to transport the cablesheath in the stripping direction by means of the contact pressurecontrol, according to the invention, of the belt drives 112 as afunction of the cable structure in case of closed insulation strippingknives which thus hold the cable. In a particular variant, the frontbelts, too, can run in the opposite direction and thus help to pull theconductor out of the sheath in a shorter time.

According to the invention, partial stripping operations with subsequentcomplete stripping with the aid of the belt drives, as described above,are possible as further process variants.

The modes of operation of the knife embodiments according to FIG. 10 areessentially known to a person skilled in the art; only attachments a-cwill therefore be singled out:

In the case of particular attachments a), it is also possible to processin parallel a plurality of cables with the apparatus according to theinvention, leading to greater effectiveness. According to the invention,parallel guides 40 or pivot guides 9 are then also provided for thispurpose.

The particular attachment according to b) serves for stripping theinsulation from flat cables, which can also be processed within thescope of the invention. Here, the flat blades according to b1) arepreferably used for cutting.

The variant having the knives c) is likewise used for flat cables, andthe latter can also be cut therewith.

The plan view according to FIG. 11 is compatible with the view accordingto FIG. 13. A front belt drive 112 a with its drive rollers 111 b and dtransports a cable along the axis 106 to the pivotable guide 9. This hasa guide tube 9 b which is replaceably held in a pivot member 30 b. Thepivot member 30 b is connected to a connecting rod 34 which transmitsthe pivot movement from the drive 33 to the tube 9 b, while a stop 31having a rubber buffer 31 b for clamping is coordinated with the pivotbody 30 or with the connecting rod 34, since the longitudinal guide 9 ispreferably driven by means of a fast-acting displacement magnet 32 whichaccelerates the guide 9 abruptly by means of its slide 33, which mayalso be damped by means of a rubber buffer.

In the present embodiment, the connecting rod is formed in two parts, astraight pin 34 a being held in a rotating shaft 34 b and the latter inturn in a bearing 35 which is connected to the pivot member 30 b. Ifrequired, this pivot guide may also be spring-loaded and/or may bearranged rotated about the axis 106 through 90 or 180 degrees, so thatthe guide 9 does not swivel upward but swivels out laterally ordownward.

47 denotes an adjusting drive for the belt drive 112, which turns thespindle 14 b by means of a belt 48.

FIG. 12 shows the right part of the same embodiment, 25 denoting thedrive and 24 the belt for adjusting the tensile force of the continuousbelt drive and 26 denoting the controlled (stepping) motor which permitscontrolled lateral guidance of the tool holders 1, 2 in the linearguides 27.

In this embodiment, the guide 40 b is not displaceably held but is heldby means of holder 43 b so that it is readily removable. A commonretaining part 8 b displaceable by means of drive 5 d carries the toolholder 1.

FIG. 13 shows a detail of the belt drive 112 a for the novel apparatushaving a continuous belt pair 112 with belts (toothed belts) 13, rollers(toothed rollers) 111 a, c and pressure rollers. The upper and lowerbelts can be separated completely from one another. The contact pressurebetween the belts 13 is controlled by means of the pressure spring 29which holds the drive roller retaining member 50 under initial tensionin the closing direction. The initial tension is increased by turningthe spindle 14 b further in the closing direction with upper and lowerbelts 13 touching one another, so that the lock nut 51 b furthercompresses the spring 29. On opening the belt drives, for example forpreliminary opening to avoid damaging contact between a cable and thebelts 13, the lock nut 51 b drives the drive roller retaining member 50b by means of the driver part 52 b.

The opening movement is limited by means of adjustable stop 53. In thisposition, the closing movement is preferably simultaneously initialized.The control is effected either by means of a shaft encoder (not shown)on the shaft 14 b or by means of the controlled drive 47 according toFIG. 11.

In the variant according to FIG. 14, the drive motor 54 for the beltdrive is indicated by a dashed line and is preferably likewiseencoder-controlled since it plays a role in determining the insulationstripping lengths.

FIG. 15 shows a variant of FIG. 12, having a roller drive with rollers111 which are driven by a drive 54 b via a gear 22 or 21. The openingadjustment of the rollers corresponds to that of the belt drives 112.

FIG. 16 relates to a further novel and inventive process for strippinginsulation from cables, which could preferably be carried out using theattachments described above, but also with other known machines in anovel manner. In four process steps, a cable 107 is stripped of aparticularly long insulation section:

Inserting the cable 107 by driven revolution of the belt drives 112 upto the insulation stripping position under the knives 3.

Opening the right belt drive 112 b to the cable diameter so that thecable is just held centered, but without exerting a contact pressurethereon. At the same time, incision by the knives 3 to the insulationstripping depth; withdrawal of the cable 107 by backward revolution ofthe belt drive 112 a to about the position in which this belt drive 112a does not yet touch the bare conductor 57. This would be an insulationstripping length which could be achieved to date only by means ofexpensive partial stripping steps.

Clamping the cable 107 by the belt drive 112 a and revolution of thebelt drive 112 b for stripping with suitable contact pressure on thecable sheath, so that the latter is stripped completely from theconductor 57. Compared with the known apparatus, complete stripping ofan insulation stripping length shown is thus now also possible.

A person skilled in the art recognizes that further steps would bepossible.

A particular process for controlling the insulation strippingapparatuses described above or other insulation stripping apparatuseswhich are not within the scope of the above embodiments is likewise thesubject of this application.

The object of the process is to improve, in particular to accelerate,processes known per se for controlling insulation stripping apparatuses,so that internal sequences are optimized and certain functions automatedand optionally the input is further facilitated.

Known processes for control have software which, when processing specialcables (e.g. coax cables), offered the possibility of manually inputtingeach individual operation, i.e. each process step, each individual feedor withdrawal, for example of the cable or of the knives, each pivotingof a pivotable cable guide part, etc. and of thus programming thesoftware in such a way that it subsequently appropriately controlled themachine. This required “complete” programming of the entire insulationstripping process for each new detailed problem in stripping theinsulation from a special cable. This is time-consuming and may also beliable to errors owing to mistakes.

The present invention solves this problem satisfactorily for the firsttime by introducing groups of operations which combine process steps andautomatically make certain adjustments group by group. Each process(step) group performs a frequently required task which consists of aplurality of individual process steps, for example successive incisionand feeding of a three-stage cable on one side with adjustableinsulation stripping depths.

According to a further development of this process, the individualprocess steps in a group of operations or the associated values can beset to 0 or can be replaced by other, random values, making it possibleto generate a new, alternative group of operations. This makes itpossible for the user to store each special cable as a group ofoperation groups in a database, in which he can subsequently simplyselect the cable by means of a command.

According to a further development of this invention, such groups ofoperations may also be combined to overlap (for example to form largergroups of operations), in order automatically to solve more complexinsulation stripping problems (for example, cables having an extremelylarge number of insulation stripping stages).

This therefore results in modular blocks of process steps, which blocksare preferably each freely programmable by themselves.

As a rule, in the event of a cable change, a user need therefore onlyselect one or other cable in the database in order to control thestripping of insulation from the cable in the desired manner.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the program(module) groups are shown on a display. FIG. 17 shows an example of sucha display, together with the scheme of a desired stripped cable section.The cable and its processing operation groups are shown schematically onthe display. A menu bar is also shown.

Completely normal three-stage stripping is shown on the far left in thescheme. This is followed by the fourth stage of stripping, consisting ofa slotted window without left end and without slit, which is partiallystripped over a large length. The next operation comprises a text. Thisis followed by the right end: complete stripping. This comprisesrepeated stripping in one piece (there are other possibilities, but thisis the recommended one). This end is additionally processed (e.g.crimped) by an external device.

The individual operations are thus shown schematically in succession.The individual operation symbols may not be completely displayed, but ineach case the selection which the user chose by inputting theparameters. The cable contains empty parts at most at the end. If itconsists of few operations, it will simply be shorter. A very largenumber of operations may lead to the cable being scrolled. The displayjumps about half a screen in each case. The display is not true to scaleeither in X or in Y.

Two bars are shown below the cable. The upper, thick bar indicates whichoperation is currently being actuated by the user (for choice of otheroperations, see under Keys, Enter and Back): the thinner bar or barsshows or show which operations are currently overlapping the actuatedones. Those which do not at all overlap are not shown (such as thetext); others which end somewhere within the first, end in the middle;those which end in the same place as the thick bar actually end there;and those which extend beyond (such as the stripping of the outermostlayer) also extend beyond the thick bar. Up to two overlaps per side areshown, and further ones are indicated by three dots on the appropriateside. Operations which lie completely one under the other are shown as aline of half length in the middle of the other operation.

The selection menu for the operations of one end is shown underneath.Details of the menus are shown, for example, as follows:

Various menus are available for selection. One menu (End menu) isactivated when the user is at one end of the cable. The other menu(Middle menu) is activated when the user is not at one end of the cable.For a list of operations and the functions controllable thereby, seefurther below. If one of the appropriate keys is pressed, a newoperation is introduced.

FIG. 18 shows and describes, by way of example and schematically,possible groups of operations for processing the cable end, while FIG.19 provides information, by way of example, on groups of operations forthe middle part.

FIG. 8 shows a universal guide 17 (only horizontal guidance). This is,if required, adapted to the cable diameter. A guide 9 which can beswivelled away is, if required, adapted to the cable diameter.

The cable sections shown relate to the following processingpossibilities: processing in short mode if L is less than 52 mm,processing in special mode if right insulation stripping length isgreater than 50 mm. The insulation can also be stripped off in severalsections. The advantage of this variant: it is faster than the variantaccording to FIG. 9 and it permits greater left and right strippinglength. Disadvantage of this variant: the cable swivels out with guide9. Short coax cable sections cannot be processed.

FIG. 9 also shows one universal guide 17 each on both sides (onlyhorizontal guidance). It is adapted to the cable diameter. It can beswivelled away. The cable sections shown relate to the followingprocessing possibilities: processing in short mode if L is less than 52mm; processing in special mode if right insulation stripping length isgreater than 50 mm. The insulation can be stripped off in a plurality ofsections. Advantage of this variant: no swivelling out of the cable;processing of relatively short coax cable is possible. Disadvantage:slower than variant according to FIG. 8; max. 50 mm stripping length onthe left side; max. 50 mm complete stripping on the right side.

The processing facilities indicated on the screen shown by way ofexample in FIG. 17 are schematically represented in FIG. 18. Theoperations have the following special features according to theinvention:

Terminating: Stops until the input signal (robot) indicates completedprocessing.

Coax slit: Always displayed; however, processing takes place only if acoax box is also set in the system parameters. This is so that it ispossible to inspect coax wires quickly even if no coax processing is tobe performed. A person skilled in the art understands coax box asmeaning an additional module with rotating knives for cutting intocoaxial cables.

Coax steps: Can be used for stripping up to three steps (four layers).Stripping for the appropriate steps can also be defined here.

Cutter strip: Permits multiple stripping (without coax, whereby coaxoperations can be positioned “independently” thereof at the desiredpoint). However, this may also be one-part stripping—both complete andpartial stripping are possible. It is also possible to define multiplewindows (free windows in the cable). The graphics for Cutter strip showthe process first as a procedure, with the result underneath.

Cutter slit: Permits the definition of a slotted end with tearing of theinsulation for easier removal.

Since each individual operation can be omitted, various possibilitiesare available for selection (see below). This process is analogous tooperation 2, except that the knife head is used instead of the coax box.

6) Cutter steps: Can be used for stripping up to three steps (fourlayers). Stripping for the appropriate steps can also be defined here.As for operation 3, except that incision is performed with the knifehead instead of with the coax box.

The operation groups in the middle part according to FIG. 19 permittheir positioning in each case starting from the left or right end. Thisresults in the following special features according to the invention:

Stopping: Stops until the input signal indicates completed processing.

Marking: Marks an area with a number of texts. It is also possible tomark a single text.

Coax slit: Permits the definition of a slotted window with two-sidedtearing of the insulation for easier removal.

Cutter slit: Permits the definition of a slotted window with two-sidedtearing of the insulation for easier removal. Since each individualoperation in 3 and 4 can be omitted, this makes the procedure versatile.As for operation 3, except that incision is carried out with the knifehead instead of with the coax box.

Various basic operations according to the invention for the ends areshown in FIG. 20 a-20 e:

-   FIG. 20 a schematically shows a basic operation.-   FIG. 20 b shows, in the upper diagram, a basic operation with    coaxial incision, longitudinal cut and stripping with the knife    head, the codes beginning with SPE being cable-specific and/or    operation group-specific.-   FIG. 20 c shows a basic operation with first coaxial incision,    second coaxial incision, third coaxial incision and the    corresponding insulation and layer stripping, beginning from the    diagram with the shallowest incision through stripping with the next    deepest incision to stripping with the deepest incision. The    recommended operations are shown schematically underneath in extract    form.-   Further variants are: also incision in two stages or one stage or    omission of individual cuts and associated strippings or omission of    each individual stripping of all of the total of six possible ones.-   FIG. 20 d shows a further basic operation for cutter stripping with    the following steps: 1. outer incision, 2. stripping to the    outermost incision, 3. next incision, 4. stripping to this incision,    . . . . The following parameters must be input: first incision    position: length of all sections (one value only), length of the    first strip, length of all other strips (one value only).-   FIG. 20 e shows, in the upper diagram, a schematic basic operation    for marking. The lower diagram schematically shows a further    operation according to the invention. This is an operation involving    a coaxial window with the following process steps: 1. right coaxial    incision, 2. left coaxial incision, 3. longitudinal slit, 4. right    stripping with the knife head, 5. left stripping with the knife    head.

A schematic embodiment for the transverse transport of cables to otherfurther processing stations is shown in exemplary FIG. 22, which doesnot restrict the various aspects of the invention. The Figure shows aperspective view which schematically indicates some components of acable processing apparatus—comprehensible to a person skilled in theart.

FIG. 22 shows a first and a second transport means 112, 113 of a cabletransport apparatus for moving and holding a cable 107. The cabletransport apparatus comprises, in addition to the transport means 112,113, for example, a cable roll with a stock of cable, a guide means forcontrolled feeding of the cable 107 from the cable roll to the firsttransport means 112 and a receiving apparatus for receiving the cablesections, cut to length and processed at the ends, from the secondtransport means 113. The two transport means 112, 113 each comprise atleast two rolls which can be pressed from opposite sides against thecable 107 and of which at least one is driveable so that the cable 107can be moved forward, or away from the stock of cable, or backward,depending on the direction of rotation. When the rolls stop, the cable107, too, is held without movement.

In the embodiment shown, the transport means 112, 113 each comprise anupper and a lower belt 4 and 5. These belts are each guided around tworollers 6. Of an upper and lower interacting belt pair, at least onebelt can be driven in both directions. For this purpose, for example,one of the rollers 6 or a further roller acting on the belt is connectedto a drive. The rollers 6 of the belt 4 or 5 are each rotatably mountedon a roller frame 7. The roller frames 7 are in turn mounted in U-shapedholding carriages 8, at right angles to the longitudinal cable axis, topermit parallel displacement. As a result of the movement of a rollerframe 7 with the rollers 6 of the upper belt 4 upward or downward, andcorrespondingly of a roller frame 7 of the rollers 6 of the lower belt 5downward or upward, the receiving area for the cable 107 can be enlargedor reduced. To activate the displacements of the roller frames 7 and toachieve a contact pressure between the belts 4, 5 and the cable 107,actuating elements 9 are preferably arranged between the holdingcarriage 8 and each roller frame 7.

Each holding carriage 8 is displaceably guided along a tracktransversely to the longitudinal cable direction by means of a guide.The embodiment shown provides, for each holding carriage 8, a linearguide in the form of a rail 10 whose guide profile 10 a is engaged by acorresponding guide part of the holding carriage 8. In order to move theholding carriages 8 along the rails 10, for example, one stepping motor11 each is provided, each of which sets in motion a cable 13 by means ofa drive wheel 12. One end of the cable 13 is connected directly to theholding carriage 8 and the other end is connected via a deflectingroller 14 to the opposite side of the holding carriage 8 to form acontinuous belt by means of which the carriage 8 can be moved in bothdirections.

Of course, it is also possible, if required, to provide pivot guidesinstead of linear guides for the holding carriages 8. The guide meansfor controlled feeding of the cable 107 from the stock of cable to thefirst transport means 112 must ensure, for the possible displacements orswivel movements of the first transport means 112, that the cable 107 isnot curved more than desired. If necessary, the cable roll with thestock of cable is moved together with the first transport means 112 orits holding carriage 8 so that the cable 107 always directly reaches thefirst transport means 112.

At least one knife station 115 and, for example, a further processingstation 16 or 17 is arranged between the first and second transportmeans 112 and 113 or the rails 10. To produce cable sections 107 a, b,the cable 107 is guided from the first transport means 112 through theknife station 115 to the second transport means 113. Two cutting tools 3can be moved together for cutting through the cable 107. The knifestation 115 comprises, for example, a knife frame 19 in which thecutting tools 3 are guided and on which movement elements 20 foractuating the cutting tools 3 are fastened. If necessary, a centeringguide 21 which may be movable by means of a linear guide 22 on the knifeframe 19 is provided for guiding the cable 107 from the first transportmeans 112 to the cutting region. The displaceability of the centeringguide 21 makes it possible to feed the cable 107 with or without thecentering guide 21 to the cutting region. If the cutting region alsoincludes sections for insulation stripping, the centering guide 21 canbe displaced, for example, parallel with the first transport means 112.Preferably, centering apparatuses are provided on both sides of thecutting tools 3, it being expedient during stripping of the insulationif the free wire end is not present in a centering guide 21. Thecentering guide 21 is actuated by means of an adjusting drive 23.

In order to reduce in relative terms the processing time also with aknife station 115 for cutting and insulation stripping, the cuttingtools 3 are preferably provided with a central cutting region and, onboth sides thereof, with one insulation stripping region each, so that,after cutting, the resulting two wire ends can each be fed individuallyto an insulation stripping region by movements of the transport means112, 113 in opposite directions. For insulation stripping, the two wireends are each moved by a desired length through the knife station 115.The cutting tools 3 are then moved together for cutting the insulationlayer and the two wire ends are drawn back again by the transport means112, 113 from the knife station 115 for stripping the insulation. Theshorter processing time is the result of the simultaneous processing ofthe two wire ends, which is permitted by the lateral displacement of thewire ends relative to one another. To permit any desired insulationstripping lengths, the lateral displacement is preferably chosen so thatthe advanced wire ends can be moved laterally past the oppositetransport means 112, 113. If necessary, each transport means 112, 113 isassigned a lateral support region on which the advanced cable end,resting on the opposite side, is guided so that it is not curveddownward in an undesirable manner even in the case of large insulationstripping lengths.

Analogously to the simultaneous processing of the two cable ends 107 a,b in laterally staggered insulation stripping regions of the cuttingtools 3, it is also possible to ensure simultaneous processing in anyother desired processing stations 16, 17 arranged staggered laterally ortransversely to the longitudinal cable direction. By means of thelateral displaceability of the transport means 112, 113, simultaneous orparallel processing is permitted. In addition, processing stations 16,17, which are accessible only from one side for a cable end 107 a, forexample through an insertion orifice 16 a, can be of any desired lengthor may also extend laterally along a transport means 112, 113 withoutthis having an effect on the distance between the two transport means112, 113.

If necessary, during the processing of one cable end 107 a, b, the otheris drawn back and the processing tool is moved transversely to thelongitudinal cable direction toward the cable 107. However, this methodof processing permits only serial processing of the cable ends 107 a, bformed on cutting. Because this particular solution according to theinvention eliminates the restriction to processing in the region of asingle fixed cable axis 106, the processing can be accelerated andsimplified. The acceleration is ensured by the parallel processing. Thesimplification arises because, in order to achieve freedom of movementof the cable end 107 a being processed, no movements of the other cableend 107 b need be performed.

It is clear that upward and downward mobility can also be providedinstead of or in addition to lateral mobility of the transport means112, 113. In other words, stations can be arranged distributed asdesired about a central axis or a knife station, it being necessary forthe transport means 112, 113 or their guide means to ensure that thecable ends 107 a, b can be fed to the processing station. The movementof the cable end 107 a, b upward or downward can, if required, beachieved by the movement of the roller frames 7 in the holding carriage8 upward or downward. In addition, at least one transport means 112, 113may also be displaceable in the longitudinal cable direction, so that,for example, it may be possible to dispense with a centering guidebecause the outlet region of the transport means 112, 113 can be guideddirectly to the entry region of the processing station 115, 16, 17.

The schematic diagrams in FIGS. 23 and 24 are self-evident, in FIG. 23the lever 101 representing any desired actuator between the transportmeans. The fork according to FIGS. 25 and 26 serves as an example ofsuch an actuator.

FIG. 24 on the other hand shows any desired actuator 101 between atransport means 112 b and a knife station 115 h. By simultaneousmovement of the transport means 112 b and the tools, it is possible tosave transverse transport time.

In particular, FIG. 26 clearly illustrates a time-saving insulationstripping method by simultaneously stripping the insulation from thefront and rear cable end 107 a and 107 b. This design is shorter than adesign having a three-knife arrangement one behind the other, like, forexample, Eubanks Model 9800.

FIG. 27 shows an independent transverse transport, for example along adrive roller axis 110 for the transport unit 112 b. In FIGS. 25-27, thedouble-headed arrow indicates the mobility of the drive elements towardand away from one another.

The further FIGS. 28-33 describe another design according to theinvention, which is used in particular as a “rotating box” in continuouscable processing machines. As a rule, it is added on as a module andused in addition to the knives which are generally not rotatable in suchmachines, in particular V-knives, in order to facilitate particularlyhard insulations or multistage insulation stripping processes in thecase of coaxial cables. The length measurement required in the case ofthis design is effected as a rule at the drive rollers or drive belts ofthe continuous cable, which are located on both sides of the rotatingbox and, in addition to feeding, also perform a clamping function and,if required, a centering function. FIGS. 28-33 are likewise describedcontiguously and in an overlapping manner.

Mounted by means of a rigid sleeve 027 is a hollow jaw shaft 022 whichis connected by means of a coupling to brake disk 001 with a gear wheel024 which can be driven by means of a toothed belt. The jaw shaft 022transmits the torque of the gear wheel to a spiral flange 012 whichengages centering jaws 013 by means of a pin. Since the centering jaws013 are guided in a jaw guide 011, a rotation of the sprial flange 012results in the clamping or centering jaws 013 moving together or apart.By means of adjusting nut 029, it is possible to tension a pressurespring 025 which influences the braking force between brake disk 001 andfirst gear wheel 024. The braking force decides on the contact pressureof the centering jaws 013 on the outside of the cable sheath. Thecentering jaws 013 have an L-shaped section so that they permit a verycompact design and nevertheless offer a broad centering or clampingsurface for cables to be stripped of insulation. Their ends project todirectly adjacent to the knives. However, owing to their L shape, italso offers space for any guides or the like.

A bearing flange 008 which carries bearings 041 is arranged coaxiallywith the jaw shaft 022. The bearings 041 support a knife head which haswedge clamps 018 which are equipped in the region of a head flange 015with wedges 016 which cooperate with diametrically opposite knifeholders 015. The knife holders 015 are guided in a knife guide 010. Aspindle 006 drives a nut 005 axially; subsequently, the wedge clamp 018,too, is longitudinally driven via a bearing 042. The spindle 006 can bedriven by a second gear wheel 020 which has a position indicator 003whose counterpart is connected to the nut 005. A straight pin 044secures the nut 005 against rotation, so that rotation of the secondgear wheel 020 results in an axial displacement of the nut 005 and hencean axial displacement of the wedges 016. This displacement causes theknife holders 015 to move in the closing or opening direction. However,other closing and opening apparatuses known to a person skilled in theart for knives and jaws are also within the scope of the invention.

FIG. 29 shows a plan view of a rotating box 057 according to theinvention in a mounting position on the left and in the insulationstripping position on the right. The further attachment of a continuouscable insulation stripping apparatus 058, for example Schleunigerinsulation stripping machine CS 9100 or a novel machine CS 9150according to the invention, is indicated by dashed lines. Swivelling outof the insulation stripping position into the mounting position permitsbetter access to the rotating box 057 in order, for example, tofacilitate knife change. Swivelling out thus permits rapid workingaccording to the invention. The module 057 is held on a hinge 059 whichis screwed to the frame of the continuous insulation stripping apparatus058. A conventional lock secures the module 057 in the insulationstripping position. This concept of the invention is not restricted onlyto rotating boxes but includes all modules of a continuous insulationstripping machine.

FIG. 28 shows an oblique view of the rotating box 057 according to theinvention, in which the insulation stripping knives are in the zeroposition (closed). In contrast, FIGS. 30 and 31 shows the diagram withopened, i.e. retracted, wedges 016. Further descriptive informationappears in the list of reference symbols.

In the present application, reference is made in particular to clamping,centering and knife jaws. However, attachments which do not relateexclusively to jaws but, for example, also include centering orinsulation stripping means other than jaw-like ones are also within thescope of the invention. For example, funnel-like means could also beused for centering, and laser knives, disk-like knives rotating abouttheir own axis or the like could also be used for cutting. Thecomponents described or shown in connection with FIG. 22, such asdrives, guides, etc., can also be used in the subjects of FIGS. 23-27,in a manner comprehensible to a person skilled in the art.

Although not stated in more detail, it is however clear to a personskilled in the art with regard to the various automatic insulationstripping machines launched on the market by Schleuniger AG since 1985that preferably a control apparatus (27) with a data memory and a datainput apparatus is provided, which control apparatus program-controlsthe relative length position of the cutting apparatus (030) with respectto the cable (107) and/or the multistage cutting depth of the knife.This also applies to the complete computer control of the drives of theother embodiments.

1. A continuous cable processing apparatus, comprising: a pair of toolsupports (1,2) for holding at least one pair of two tools (3), and atool support feed (5) for positioning of at least one of said at leastone pair of two tools (3 a, b, c, d) in a direction perpendicular to theworking direction of said at least one of said two tools, across a firsttransport path (100), along which a cable (107) whose insulation is tobe stripped can be inserted in its feed direction, wherein an encoder(41) is arranged on an adjuster (18) for tool setting and monitorsmovement of said adjuster 18 in an operating state in order to performat least one of the following: to detect completed closure of said atleast one of said at least one pair of two tools (3), or to stop drivemovement of said at least one pair of two tools, wherein said adjustercomprises an adjusting spindle.
 2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1,wherein the tool support feed (5) laterally, relative to the firsttransport path, positions at least one of said at least two tools (3 a,b, c, d) above the first transport path (100) along which the cable(107) whose insulation is to be stripped can be inserted and transportedin its feed direction, whereas the axis of said cable is parallel tosaid first transport path, wherein said tool support feed (5) is formedfor a controlled lateral drive for controlled sideward movement of atleast one of said pair of tool supports (1,2) to any desired positionwithin a working range laterally with respect to said first transportpath (100).
 3. A cable processing apparatus according to claim 1,wherein connection between a drive (23;16), for opening and closing saidat least one pair of two tools, and said spindle 18 is elastic. 4.Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said connection comprises acoupling via a toothed belt (24).
 5. The cable processing apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein said adjuster adjusts as a function ofdrive movement of a drive (23; 16) by comparison with a comparableencoder value of said drive (23; 16) on said encoder.